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Tag: Tony Bennett

  • Barco & Fox ink deal to release films in panoramic movie format

    Barco & Fox ink deal to release films in panoramic movie format

    MUMBAI: Digital cinema company Barco and 20th Century Fox have inked a five year, multi-title per year agreement to release movies in Barco’s multi-screen, fully immersive movie format Barco Escape.

     

    Fox will be working with its filmmakers to produce new projects for the format beginning with the September release of Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.

     

    As part of the deal, a Barco Escape setup will be installed in a theater on the 20th Century Fox studio lot. 

     

    Fox was an early endorser of the Barco Escape technology, working hand in hand with Barco throughout the last year to further develop the format and showcase new theatrical content to audiences. Director Wes Ball’s The Maze Runner was the first film to release in Barco Escape, featuring approximately 10 minutes of footage in the format. It debuted at five Barco Escape Cinemark theaters in the US and two Barco Escape Kinepolis theaters in Belgium. For The Scorch Trials,Barco is targeting 25 locations, and Fox is targeting approximately 20 minutes of the film to be converted into the format.

     

    “The audience reaction from the Barco Escape footage on The Maze Runner was overwhelmingly positive. We started working with Barco on this technology because we believe immersive experiences are the future of cinema. Now that Barco has upgraded its Barco Escape systems to be fully DCI compliant, we are further interested in finding tent pole movies for the format that will inspire audiences to leave their homes and go to the theater to share in this unique experience,” says 20th Century Fox president of domestic distribution Chris Aronson.

     

    “Twentieth Century Fox has been an incredible partner for Barco Escape from the very beginning. The common theme from audiences that saw The Maze Runner with select scenes in Barco Escape was ‘we want more!’ We are thrilled to extend our relationship with the studio and its filmmakers to continue pushing the envelope and creating these new cinema experiences you can’t get anywhere else,” added Barco VP of global entertainment Todd Hoddick.

     

    Barco Escape’s next project, a special performance event with Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga filmed natively for the format, will be released later this year.

  • Netflix to produce and globally distribute Tony Bennett doc

    Netflix to produce and globally distribute Tony Bennett doc

    MUMBAI: Netflix in association with its Red Envelope Entertainment division has acquired worldwide rights to produce and distribute a new documentary exploring and celebrating the life and career of the legendary recording artist and concert performer, Tony Bennett.

    “Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends will be directed by Bruce Ricker. Multiple Oscar winner and nominee Clint Eastwood Flags Of Our Fathers, Letters from Iwo Jima will serve as executive producer.

    Bennett is beloved as one of the premiere interpreters of the Great American Songbook. The new documentary will follow Bennett’s more than 50 years in the music and entertainment industries against the backdrop of a changing America.

    Weaving seldom seen archival footage with never before seen excerpts of Bennett’s recent premier performance at the Monterey Jazz festival — highlighted by an on-camera interview conducted by Eastwood that explores the essence of Bennett’s artistry — the film will present an exceptional man in a rare way: a living legend through his life, times and music.
    This cinematic portrayal of Tony Bennett caps a year-long celebration of a singer who celebrated his 80th birthday last August. Bennett’s most recent chart topping CD Tony Bennett Duets: An American Classic. It won three Grammy Awards a couple of days ago.

    Netflix says that it is committed to providing consumers with access to the widest variety of films available and, in association with Red Envelope Entertainment, will fully finance the production. An innovative release plan will include DVD rental and sale, online and TV distribution, as well as an event-driven premiere and theatrical release this summer. The film is currently in production at locations around the country, including Astoria, Queens in New York City, where Bennett was born, as well as Hollywood, California.

    Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos says, “The coming together of Tony Bennett and Clint Eastwood — two enduring and iconic figures in the world of American entertainment — is a cultural flashpoint. Netflix spearheading this prestigious project showcases our abilities to bring unique content to our subscribers and, in this case, a global audience.”

    Richter says, “‘Tony Bennett: The Music Never Ends is an historical record of an American icon. We wanted the film to reach the widest audience possible and Netflix achieves that goal.”

  • NBC to celebrate 80th birthday of legendary singer Tony Bennett

    NBC to celebrate 80th birthday of legendary singer Tony Bennett

    MUMBAI: In a one-hour special, US broadcaster NBC will celebrate the 80th birthday of the legendary singer Tony Bennett.

    The special Tony Bennett: An American Classic airs later this year.

    The special, sponsored by Target, showcases the Grammy and Emmy Award-winning singer along with a myriad of superstars who perform duets from his upcoming album Tony Bennett Duets/An American Classic. 

    The special will take viewers on a musical journey through the renowned singer’s life. Set amongst the backdrop of different eras from Bennett’s career, he performs his most memorable songs with popular artists. Bennett performs Rags to Riches with Elton John, The Best Is Yet to Come with Diana Krall; For Once in My Life with Stevie Wonder; Because of You with K.D. Lang and trumpeter Chris Botti; and Sing You Sinners with John Legend. Additional participants will be announced at a later date.